Continuing the Balikatan Exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States (US), a Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise took place at the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

“The exercise is already an assurance to improve the capability of both our armed forces, so that we can better serve the people,” Maj. Gen. Marvin Licudine, Exercise Director for the Philippines, Philippine Army, said.

Using a 155mm Howitzer, American and Filipino soldiers fired at target drums in the water, simulating an attack from the sea and defending against it from the land. 

Heat signatures inside the drums allowed detection by Javelin missiles from the US Marine Corps.

The exercise, conducted from the shoreline at a distance of 12 nautical miles, showcased the strength of the Philippine Marine Corps artillery with the Marine Corps' Littoral Combat Team Rifle Company, alongside the US Army.

“They come up, [and we] had a few 50 cal and javelin shots. They were completely impressive and shock the targets that were out there,” Lt. Gen. Michael Cederhold, Commanding General of the Marine Expeditionary Force, said.

The US and Philippine forces said that the drills were aimed to strengthen relationships and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The location was chosen specifically for the exercise and is not directed against any third party or nation.

“We don’t do this for any third parties, we do this for interoperability, to create readiness, to create integration and such capabilities; and being able to command and control, [and] sense the battle space,” Cederhold said.

The Balikatan exercises were held in various locations in Luzon, aimed to bolster the defense of the Philippines.

Over 11,000 American troops and 5,000 Filipino soldiers are participating in the Balikatan Exercises 2024, scheduled to last until May 10.